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Corten Metal Gateway Emphasizes Geological Narratives in Visitor Shelter

Author:
Shiva Keyvanfar
Corten Metal Gateway Emphasizes Geological Narratives in Visitor Shelter

Project in-detail

Corten metal panels engraved with tectonic illustrations create a compelling entrance that connects visitors to the geological narratives of the Grjotagja area, providing a unique shelter for exploration and reflection amidst the natural landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Corten metal panels are engraved with tectonic illustrations, creating a unique entrance that emphasizes geological narratives.
02
A wooden bridge inside the Karlagja cave facilitates one-way circulation, enhancing the visitor experience through the cave.
03
The shelter features large windows that frame views of the natural landscape, blurring the lines between indoors and outdoors.
04
Alaskan Lupin flowers line the approach to the building, adding a natural touch and enhancing the visitor journey.
05
Information stands made from weathered steel provide educational resources about the tectonic divide and local geology.

The project located in the Grjotagja area within Vogar farmland serves as a shelter for tourists, designed to blend with the surrounding natural landscape. It enhances the visitor experience while encouraging exploration of the region's unique geological features. The overall design concept focuses on simplicity and preserving nature, inviting visitors to discover the area's natural secrets during their journey.

Entrance and Engagement

As visitors approach, they encounter a pathway lined with Alaskan Lupin flowers that leads to the building's entrance. The façade includes two corten metal panels, each featuring engravings that illustrate the tectonic plates of Europe and North America. This design element acts as a welcoming entry point and connects visitors with the geological stories of the area, encouraging curiosity and exploration of the environment.

Interior Experience

Inside, the design creates an intimate atmosphere that contrasts with the exterior. Visitors have the opportunity to sit and enjoy refreshments while taking in the view of how natural rock formations interact with the interior space. This connection to nature is emphasized, allowing guests to fully immerse themselves in the beauty of their surroundings and experience the landscape from a different perspective.

Circulation and Vistas

A prominent aspect of the design is the central stair path that guides visitors to a viewing platform. From this elevated position, they can witness the sunset as it casts vibrant colors across the horizon. This scene serves to highlight the focus on geological unity, representing the meeting point of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, a key feature of the area's identity.

Information and Functionality

Functional elements are incorporated into the design, such as information stands made from weathered steel panels. These stands provide resources about the caves and the tectonic divide, enriching the visitor experience with important context. Service areas, including restrooms and storage, are strategically located to ensure visitor comfort while preserving the natural integrity of the site.

The interior features carefully placed seating areas that encourage reflection. Large windows frame views of the beautiful landscape, allowing the natural environment to become part of the space, creating a strong connection between inside and outside.

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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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Competition organisers

The MICROHOME 10 competition invites participants to submit visionary designs for off-grid, modular microhomes that push the limits of sustainable, small-scale living. Organised by Buildner in partnership with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this tenth edition sets the challenge of designing a dwelling for two people within a maximum floor area of 25 m², encouraging bold solutions adaptable to any urban or rural location. The competition continues Buildner’s mission to foster innovative approaches to compact, energy-efficient housing that can address pressing global challenges.

This year’s edition offers a generous total prize fund of €100,000, including the Kingspan Award for designs that integrate high-performance Kingspan products and the Hapi Homes Award for a project selected for real-world construction. In addition to cash prizes, the winners gain international exposure through Buildner’s media partnerships, publications, and a dedicated MICROHOME magazine, further amplifying their ideas to the wider architectural community.

Key dates for MICROHOME 10 include the closing date for registration on 25 September 2025, the submission deadline on 29 October 2025 (11:59 p.m. London time), and the announcement of winners on 9 December 2025. These milestones ensure participants have clear timelines to develop and present their concepts, with early registration discounts available to support students and emerging designers worldwide.

MICROHOME

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 25 September 2025

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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